Operating mechanism for core tubes in concrete molds

ABSTRACT

An operating mechanism for core tubes in concrete molds wherein a plurality of core tubes of different cross section are releasably supported on a movable truck at either end of the mold, said core tubes having coupling means for readily selectively coupling and uncoupling core tubes of different cross section to the trucks to move therewith or to a stationary frame.

United States Patent Toksvig [54] OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CORE TUBES IN CONCRETE MOLDS [72] Inventor: Peter K. Toksvig, Karlebo, Denmark [73] Assignee: A. Jespersen 8: Son International A/S [22] Filed: Aug. 14, 1968 21 Appl. No.: 752,630

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 14, 1967 Denmark; ..4l20/67 [52] US. Cl ..425/457, 249/63, 249/177 ..B28b 7/30 Field ofSearch ..25/41.5 A, 42,41 J,41.1, 25/412, 118 M, 119, 41 R; 18/45 M, 39, 35, 34 M, 23, 4 M, DIG. 10; 249/63, 64, 175, 176, 177

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1 In W! 1M Feb. 15,1972

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 781,143 1/1905 Harris et al. ..25/4l.5 A

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 47,913 5/1909 France ..25 I41 217,168 10/1941 Switzerland ..25/4l Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-DeWalden W. Jones Attorney-Luke A. Mattare ABSTRACT An operating mechanism for core tubes in concrete molds wherein a plurality of core tubes of different cross section are releasably supported on a movable truck at either end of the mold, said core tubes having coupling means for readily selectively coupling and uncoupling core tubes of different cross section to the trucks to move therewith or to a stationary frame.

9 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEUFEB 15 I972 SHEET 3 0F 8 INVENTOR.

PAIENTEurEa I s 1972 3642.419

sum 5 or a INVENTOR. em, TICQ/(G- PATENTEDFEB 15 1912 3,642,419

saw 8 UF 8 INVENTOR.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CORE TUBES IN CONCRETE MOLDS This specification deals with the manufactureof channelled concrete blocks. The channels are produced by core tubes supported by either of two trucks and introduced at either end of the mold. Each core might-if not wanted at the molding of a block-be decoupled from the truck and parked at an outside stationary girder or beam. The core has a swingable clamp, which might be fixed either to the truck or to the parking beam.

The invention relates to an operating mechanism for core tubes in concrete molds for castings in the form of sheetsor blocks. After pouring with concrete of earth-moist consistency and after vibration the core tubes may be directly retracted from the mold which is then left for hardening which may be accelerated by heating. The tubes are usually supported in frames or trucks placed at both ends of the mold and displaceable in the longitudinal direction of same. Frequently some of the tubes are supported in another frame or truck which is displaceable at the opposite end of the mold. By retracting the tubes from the mold, each in their separate direction, the risk of damaging the casting is reduced.

In larger concreting plants molds of various sizes are often available, and in concreting it is often desirable to use only 7 some of the core tubes of the truck; In that case the core tubes involved are dismantled and removed from the retracting device.

lt may also be found desirable in certain rnolds to use core tubes of a cross section varying from that of the core tubes hitherto used. If so, it will be necessary to replace the tubes mountedat the moment by tubes of the desired dimension.

Such dismantlings and replacements are, however, comparatively time consuming, and it is therefore difficult to adapt them to the operation of a large concreting plant withoutinvolving undesired delays.

The object of the invention is to device a operating mechanism in which disturbing delays due to theselection of core tubes are eliminated. In accordance. herewith each core tube is provided at its rear end with a coupling member by which the tube at quick replacement may be attached to the truck or a stationary block, such as a beam behind same. In the former case the tube will follow, the movement of the truck towards the mold, by which the tube is passedfullythrough same, the mold having holes permitting the tube to pass through, and in the latter case the tube will remain in its starting position, whereas the truck is advanced towards the mold.

Where casting of sheets or blocks of varying thickness is involved, the said holes will have to be of different cross sections. Instead of as previously to replace the tubes mounted on the truck by tubes of a different cross section,-the method devised by the invention for switching over to adifferent cross section is substantially simpler. In fact, according to the invention .a tube in one truck may be supported oppositepreferably axially aligned witha tube of another cross section in the other truck. Thus, one tube or the other may be introduced into the mold to suit requirements. The tubes will be located at the same place in themold, but in the nature of the case they produce cavities of, different cross section. A third possibility is to attach both the tubes to the beam, in which case the said place in the mold will be fully filled withconcrete mix, that is, be wholly without cavities.

The aforesaid advantage which consists in retracting the core tubes from either end of the mold may be preserved in the operating mechanism according to the invention thereby that tubes, for example of circular cross sections, are :mounted alternately with tubes of a difierent, for example larger or oval cross section, in both trucks, .however, in such manner that a tube of the first-mentioned cross section in one truck is supported in axial alignment with-a tube of theothercross section in the other truck. If a series of castings have been made with channels of circular cross section and prompt switchover to the production of a series of castings with channels of oval cross section is to be made, all tubes are exchanged, so that the circular tubes hitherto used are attached to the parking beams, whereas the oval tubes are attached to the trucks.

The coupling member may be designed in many different ways within the scope of the invention, if only it permits of quick switchover. A very suitable and simple design of the coupling member isobtained by constructing it as a clamp or clamping arm which is attached to the tube end or an extension hinged thereto and which is brought into engagement with projections provided on beam or truck, respectively, and thereby fastens the tube to one of the said parts and fixing it thereto by pulling the said part of the extension against an abutment member which may be of wedge form or conical form. V

The clamp or clamping arm may according to the invention be connected with the tube. or its extension by means of a swingable clamping link of the kind known from thealthough far smaller-old-fashioned closures for soda water bottles.

According to the invention the clamp or the clamping arm may also have the swingable clamping link at its free end, by which clamping bow and clamping link have to be swung to the same side, which permits of a quicker exchange.

Various embodiments of the operating mechanism according to the invention are shown in the drawing,

FIG. 1 shows an operating mechanism, viewed from above, I

- FIG. 2 is a side view of same,

FIG. 3 a parking beam according to a first form of the invention,

FIG. '4 a parking beam at the other end of the same mechanism, 1

FIGS. 5 and 6 a pair of corresponding parking beams of another mechanism,

FIGS. 7 and 8 acoupling memberon a larger scale in two of its end positions,

FIG. 9 the same in an intermediate position,

FIG. 10 another coupling member, viewed from above, and

FIGS. 11 and 12 a side view of the same in two of its end positions.

Travelling on wheels 1 running on fixed rails 2 of the operating mechanism a pair of trucks 3 and 3 at opposite ends of the mold may move between the position indicated in FIG. 1 and the position indicated in the same Figure by a stippled line 3'.

In the truck 3 are supported four core tubes, three of which (5) are passed through an inclined gable end 6 of a mold 7 which has holes corresponding to the cross section of the tubes. The fourth core tube 4 is in so far, also passed through a hole provided in the gable end 8 of the truck 3, but the tube 4 was not advanced with the truck 3 when this left its end position 3', but was retained to astationary beam, which will be called a parking beam 9, by means of a coupling member 10, which will be further described in the following.

Simultaneously with the truck 3 being advanced to the position indicated in FIG. 1, truck 3 was advanced to the-opposite end of the mold 7 with the tubes 11 of the truck 3 passing through the gable end 6 of the mold.

.After concreting .and vibration of the mold 7 all the core tubes '5 and 11 are retracted from the mold, the trucks 3 and 3 being returned to their starting positions, after which a fresh mold may be brought into position for concreting and the tubes .5 and 11 introduced into it. The tubes are conically pointed to enable them efficiently to catch the holes provided in the gable end 6. As the trucks 3 and 3 are moved to-and- 'fro, the tubes .run on idle rolls 12 which not only support the tubes 5 and 11, but also guide the front conical ends of the tubesS towards the corresponding holes of the mold.

The trucks .3 and 3 are moved by means of chains (not shown) passed over chain wheels 13 and 14. The chain 'wheels l3.are driven through gear wheels 15 and 16 by an electro motor l7througha speed-reducing mechanism 18.

.Formoving the trucks use may also be made of any other form of motive power, for example hydraulic cylinders each coupled directly, or connected through a gearing, to its separate-truck.

A parking beam 9 at one end of the device is shown from its inner side in FIG. 3, in which conical holes 19 and projections 20, each provided with a recess 21 for cooperating with tube and coupling member, respectively, will be seen.

The parking beam 22 arranged at the opposite end of the plant is shown in FIG. 4. The tubes 11 may be fastened in the conical holes 23 of the said beam.

FIGS. and 6 show corresponding parking beams in another plant. In addition to the circular holes 19 and 23 for the tubes 4, 5 and 11 there is here a corresponding number of oval holes 24 and 25 for tubes of corresponding cross section. This means that when casting, only one half of the core tubes can be used as a maximum, but it also means that there is a possibility of using either all of the circular tubes or all of the oval tubes. The latter are used when casting thick sheets or blocks.

The holes 19, 23, 24, and 25 correspond in shape to the shape of the tube to be attached thereto.

FIGS. 1 and 2 and 7-9 show a coupling member consisting of a clamp arm 26 which is rotatable in a bow 27 which, again, is rotatable in a block 28 provided on an extension 29 having conical ends 40 and 41, the said extension 29 being connected through a transverse bolt 42 with the rear end of a tube 4 or 5. i

If it is desired to use the tube 4 at the next concreting, the coupling member 10, FIGS. 1 and 8, has to be switched to the position shown in FIG. 7 while the truck is in the position 3'.

FIG. 9 shows an intermediate position during the said change of positions. By means of its arm 26, which engages the recess 21 of the beam 9, the coupling member retains the extension 29 and consequently the tube 4 in position against the beam 9. The length of the arm 26 is adjusted by means of a pair of nuts 30 tightened together.

At the change of positions the bow 27 is lifted, by which the arm 26 is released from its contact with the projection 20, so that it may straightaway be turned into the position illustrated in FIG. 9, following the direction of an arrow 33, in which the arm 26 is laid into a recess 31 provided in a projection 32 on the gable end 8 of the truck. The bow 27 is then given a further turn in the direction of an arrow 34 (FIG. 9) and brought into the position shown in FIG. 7. At this movement the connecting part 29 and consequently the tube 4 are moved to the left owing to the tension to which the projection 32 is subjected by the arm 26. By this movement the conical part 41 is drawn into a conforming hole 35 provided in the gable end 8 of the truck. At the same time the conical part 40 is pulled clear of the beam 9.

The tube 4 will now at the subsequent concreting follow the movement of the truck 3 towards the mold 7.

When the bow 27 and the arm 26 are returned to the position illustrated in FIG. 8, the tube 4 and, by the way, any of the remaining tubes may again be disconnected from the truck 3.

Since a tube 4 and a connecting part 29 sometimes owing to its cylindrical form may turn somewhat about its axis, the gable 8 is provided .with a fork 36 opposite each extension 29 so that a cam 37 provided on the latter will be caught by the fork 36 when the coupling member 10 is to be attached to the projection 32 ofthe truck.

Instead of adjusting the length of the arm 26 by means of the double nut 30, it will be more advantageous to adapt the coupling member in such manner that the projections and 32 may be adjusted. Simultaneously, the arm 26 and the how 27 may be adapted in such manner that at each change they are forced into the same direction in relation to each other.

Such a coupling member is illustrated in FIGS. 10-12. In this case the bow 27 is swingable about a pin 39 provided on the block 28. At its end the bow carries another bow 43 which has a handle 44 on its outer side and carries a rotatable pressure shoe 45 on its inner side.

When the coupling member is fastened in its new position, the parts 27 and 43 are turned so far down that the pressure shoe 45 is caused to embrace and seize a projection 46 or 47.

The said projection 46 or 47 consists of an adjustment screw WhlCh may be fastened in any position whatever by means of a set screw 48. The handle 44 is then moved down into horizontal position and at the said movement the block 28 and the extension part 29 on which it is seated are pulled to the side where the coupling member is attached, that is, to the truck 3 or to the parking beam 9. As shown in FIG. 12, the gable end 8 of the truck 3 is provided with conical holes 35 for cooperating with a conical part 41 on the extension part 29 as is the case in the embodiment described by way of example in the foregoing. However, to permit the oval tubes to pass through corresponding openings in the gable end 8 of the-truck, the said gable end must have corresponding oval openings. Such an opening, indicated at 49 in FIG. 11, cooperates with two semicircular, but not concentric surfaces 50 of the extension part of 29.

The said part 29 has at its rear end a pair of arms 51, which, when the coupling member is adjusted to the position illustrated in FIG. 12, engage a cylindrical shaft portion 52 of the beam 9. I

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Operating mechanism for core tubes in concrete molds for castings in the form of sheets or blocks,said mold having opposed end walls with holes therethrough, said mechanism comprising a plurality of core tubes having different cross sections arranged alternately with one another and adapted to be supported in a movable truck displacable at each end of the mold for positioning the core tubes in the mold and withdrawing them therefrom through said holes in said mold end walls, said core tubes each having a forward end and a rear end, a stationary frame means behind and adjacent each said movable truck, and readily operable coupling means on the rear end of each said core tube so that core tubes of different cross section may be readily selectively coupled to the stationary frame means or to the movable trucks to move therewith.

2. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubes in one truck are supported opposite and in axial alignmerit with tubes of another cross section in the other truck. 3. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein a tube of circular cross section is supported alternately with a tube of oval cross section in each truck and in such manner that a tube of the first-mentioned cross section in one truck is carried in axial alignment with a tube of the other cross section in the other truck.

4. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupling means comprises a clamp means attached to the rear end of each tube, the said clamp means having means for operative engagement with projections on either the beam or the truck, respectively, for selectively fastening the tube to either the beam or the truck and fixing it thereto by pulling the said tube against an abutment.

5. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the Clamp is connected with the tube by means of a swingable clamp link.

6. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clamp has a swingable link at its'free end.

7. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means includes an axial extension on the rear end of each core tube.

8. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clamp means comprises a clamping arm pivotally mounted to said extension.

9. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the abutment comprises a conically shaped opening for receiving in abutting relationship a mating end of the extension. 

1. Operating mechanism for core tubes in concrete molds for castings in the form of sheets or blocks, said mold having opposed end walls with holes therethrough, said mechanism comprising a plurality of core tubes having different cross sections arranged alternately with one another and adapted to be supported in a movable truck displacable at each end of the mold for positioning the core tubes in the mold and withdrawing them therefrom through said holes in said mold end walls, said core tubes each having a forward end and a rear end, a stationary frame means behind and adjacent each said movable truck, and readily operable coupling means on the rear end of each said core tube so that core tubes of different cross section may be readily selectively coupled to the stationary frame means or to the movable trucks to move therewith.
 2. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubes in one truck are supported opposite and in axial alignment with tubes of another cross section in the other truck.
 3. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein a tube of circular cross section is supported alternately with a tube of oval cross section in each truck and in such manner that a tube of the first-mentioned cross section in one truck is carried in axial alignment with a tube of the other cross section in the other truck.
 4. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupling means comprises a clamp means attached to the rear end of each tube, the said clamp means having means for operative Engagement with projections on either the beam or the truck, respectively, for selectively fastening the tube to either the beam or the truck and fixing it thereto by pulling the said tube against an abutment.
 5. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clamp is connected with the tube by means of a swingable clamp link.
 6. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the clamp has a swingable link at its free end.
 7. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means includes an axial extension on the rear end of each core tube.
 8. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clamp means comprises a clamping arm pivotally mounted to said extension.
 9. Operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the abutment comprises a conically shaped opening for receiving in abutting relationship a mating end of the extension. 